Talking about depression for the first time publicly felt a bit like stripping naked on a busy ‪Saturday afternoon‬ on my local high street. I hadn't told any of my friends or extended family about my dark patch either so it also felt as though I was walking stark naked towards my most treasured people. The process of opening up was exposing, terrifying...and weirdly liberating.

Simon Di Principe

I had previously felt the prospect of talking so honestly was just too much; overwhelming and hugely uncomfortable. But as soon as I opened my laptop to begin writing my book HAPPY, I committed to the idea, now people just had to read my innermost thoughts.

During this process I kept thinking: How would people react? Would they judge me? Think I'm lying? Slam me for my ideas around happiness? Would it make the problem worse? The reason I kept going and am now relatively content, sod it, even a tiny bit proud, is because I wanted others to feel ok talking about depression too. If more of us talk openly then the shame that suffocates this at times taboo topic, will dissipate.

Depression comes in many different sizes, lengths, colours and shapes. One experience will be vastly different to another’s. My own personal experience was feeling like I was sitting in the shadow of a giant ominous mound of dread. At the time I felt like I might end up in that space forever. Having come out the other side I hope I won't end up there again. You may think this sounds naive but I prefer to think of it as optimism.

Depression for me isn't something that defines me now. I much prefer to use the terminology that I have 'experienced' depression. Maybe I won't again, maybe I will, but for now I can talk about it retrospectively as this is my own version of events and how it has affected my life.

You may think I’ve got it all sorted, that I'm a gobby bird off the telly or that I'm always content in life. I don’t mind how you decide to label me but what I will do is tell you the truth and my side of the story. I feel incredibly lucky to have my husband and kids. For me that’s the solid foundation on which the rest of my life rests. I also adore my job and THAT makes me a very lucky person. However, I also know that even though I get to wear nice dresses (before swiftly giving them back to the person I borrowed them from), go to parties, or interview famous people, they’re not going to nourish my soul. Don’t get me wrong, my job is a lot of fun but it isn't a crash helmet against the rest of what life has to offer.

I don’t get to skip losing loved ones. I don’t miss the opportunity to feel tied up in sorrow or fear. I can't eradicate self-loathing or shame and I'm certainly not immune to depression.

For each person out there experiencing depression, the remedy and way forward will be very different. For me medication, short term, helped get my head out of the dark cloud but since then it's all about keeping things simple. My perspective on life has changed quite dramatically, I care a lot less what people think of me and I strive for balance rather than the extremes in life.

Once my foggy patch lifted I was left with a new set of rules and ideas that work well for me, all based around the simplest things in life: family, friends, fresh air, food, books, painting, laughter, and music.

A weight has lifted, words don't get so stuck in my throat any more and I'm connecting with a whole new bunch of wonderful people like you. Let’s crush shame together and extinguish worry and doubt with kind words and connection. For now I shall remain 100% metaphorically naked.